The report is divided into three parts. The first part describes the Minnesota Corrections Act and variations of it that have been adopted in other States, such as Oregon, Maryland, and Iowa. It also discusses the Community Corrections Act suggested by the Council of State Governments and describes the Wisconsin Community Youth and Family Aids Program. Each of the acts and programs presented in this section transfers responsibility for a large share of corrections programming from the State to the local level. The brief then provides an overview of specific community programs in which offenders or alleged offenders are placed. Types of programs include diversion, restitution, residential centers, weekend sentences, and reintegration. Also addressed are innovative treatment techniques, probation and parole supervision methods, and assessment teams of the programs which are located throughout the country. The brief concludes with identification of major issues in community corrections. These concerns focus on whether use of community corrections programs can reduce the number of offenders sentenced to State institutions, whether community corrections is less costly per offender than incarceration in a prison, and whether the use of such programs can reduce recidivism rates. An appendix and a 23-entry bibliography are provided. (Author abstract modified)